Month: July 2013

Deputy Premier and Energy Minister Bryan Green today said the Economic Regulator’s report had confirmed the state’s electricity prices would fall from January next year.

The new prices would be set by the Economic Regulator after the State Government recommended tariffs for approval over the next fortnight, he said in a statement.

“While we can’t say definitively what the decrease will be until then, we are confident that it will be greater than our original prediction last month (of between 1 and 2 per cent),” Mr Green said.

“Electricity prices around Australia are continuing to go up but we are bucking the trend in Tasmania.

“Recent electricity prices rises experienced in Tasmania will soon be a thing of the past.”

Mr Green said the State Government was on target to introduce retail competition in Tasmania’s electricity market from January 1, which would put more downward pressure on prices.

Sourced from The Mercury

So the empty guarantee of price reduction is the best that the government is offering to the people. Why wait until January 2014 when most are struggling to get by now. Although the projected 1-2% is hardly worth making any noise about, given that doesn’t even cover the last increase… 😐

Also note some of the comments on the original article, that gives you a better idea of how the public feel about it.

Like this:

HOBART’S average unleaded petrol price has climbed by about 4c in the past 10 days, while the wholesale price paid by importers has fallen by 7c .

RACT spokesman Vince Taskunas said any further rises above yesterday’s average of about 164c a litre would be a travesty, given that:

THE Singapore wholesale price had been sinking steadily, from a July 15 peak of $141c to below $129c, according to Australian Institute of Petroleum figures.

ULP prices which yesterday varied between 162.7c and 166c in Hobart were too high for many Tasmanians to afford.

The ULP price has climbed about 10c in the past two weeks and more than 20c in the past year.

Prices in other parts of Tasmania have been even higher.

Mr Taskunas said the rapid rises had been particularly harsh on premium fuel users, but not so painful for diesel buyers.

Premium 95 petrol yesterday averaged 173.7c a litre, down from a 174.3c peak on Wednesday, while Premium 98 has sat just under 180c since Wednesday.

Average diesel prices have risen more slowly, about 1.5c in the past week, and remain below unleaded petrol at 161.6c.

Mr Taskunas said the continuation of such high prices was costing many Tasmanians as much $10 a week in unavoidable fuel bills.

“That’s $40 extra a month, and nothing else has gone down. With higher power bills and winter heating, it’s hurting people,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said fuel price rises typically occurred sooner and a lot more rapidly compared with price reductions and a repeat of such a scenario would be grossly unfair on Tasmanians, particularly pensioners and low-income families.

He said the perennial price gap between Tasmania and other interstate capitals had narrowed during the surge in global wholesale prices.

“That’s often the case when the price goes up, it does narrow” he said.

Commsec experts believe prices will continue rising nationally by as much as 3c in the next two weeks and said the pain had been amplified by the rate of the climb the fastest increase since 2009 of about 16c in two months.

Australian Industry Group chief economist Julie Toth said fuel price rises directly impacted on business transport costs and made consumers more wary of spending on luxury items.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd this week scrapped the $330,000-a-year Petrol Commissioner position, which he had implemented in 2008.

Like this:

HOBART’S average unleaded petrol price has climbed by about 4c in the past 10 days, while the wholesale price paid by importers has fallen by 7c .

RACT spokesman Vince Taskunas said any further rises above yesterday’s average of about 164c a litre would be a travesty, given that:

THE Singapore wholesale price had been sinking steadily, from a July 15 peak of $141c to below $129c, according to Australian Institute of Petroleum figures.

ULP prices which yesterday varied between 162.7c and 166c in Hobart were too high for many Tasmanians to afford.

The ULP price has climbed about 10c in the past two weeks and more than 20c in the past year.

Prices in other parts of Tasmania have been even higher.

Mr Taskunas said the rapid rises had been particularly harsh on premium fuel users, but not so painful for diesel buyers.

Premium 95 petrol yesterday averaged 173.7c a litre, down from a 174.3c peak on Wednesday, while Premium 98 has sat just under 180c since Wednesday.

Average diesel prices have risen more slowly, about 1.5c in the past week, and remain below unleaded petrol at 161.6c.

Mr Taskunas said the continuation of such high prices was costing many Tasmanians as much $10 a week in unavoidable fuel bills.

“That’s $40 extra a month, and nothing else has gone down. With higher power bills and winter heating, it’s hurting people,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said fuel price rises typically occurred sooner and a lot more rapidly compared with price reductions and a repeat of such a scenario would be grossly unfair on Tasmanians, particularly pensioners and low-income families.

He said the perennial price gap between Tasmania and other interstate capitals had narrowed during the surge in global wholesale prices.

“That’s often the case when the price goes up, it does narrow” he said.

Commsec experts believe prices will continue rising nationally by as much as 3c in the next two weeks and said the pain had been amplified by the rate of the climb the fastest increase since 2009 of about 16c in two months.

Australian Industry Group chief economist Julie Toth said fuel price rises directly impacted on business transport costs and made consumers more wary of spending on luxury items.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd this week scrapped the $330,000-a-year Petrol Commissioner position, which he had implemented in 2008.

Like this:

MOTORISTS are being hit by spiralling petrol prices as Hobart’s average price hits 160c a litre.

Prices have jumped about 6c a litre since last Friday because of increases in world oil prices.

Users of 95 or 98 premium blends are being hit hardest, with the fuel selling from 170c to 180c a litre.

But diesel prices have remained steady, with prices cheaper than petrol for the first time in many years.

The RACT’s Vince Taskunas said the surge in local petrol prices was predictable because of rises in Singapore’s unleaded petrol wholesale price.

Mr Taskunas said the Singapore price had fallen below Friday’s level and he hoped that would cause prices to remain about 160c a litre.

“We’re hoping that that’s the extent of it,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said recent rises in global oil prices had been amplified by the sharp drop in the Australian dollar.

He said the increases were hurting motorists, especially those whose cars needed high-octane petrol. Mr Taskunas said motorists whose cars ran on diesel were being spared price rises.

“Diesel users are not being punished like they usually are,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said there had also been a narrowing of the price gaps between Hobart and interstate capitals including Melbourne and Adelaide.

He said that some service station operators had noticed that motorists whose cars required high octane fuels were switching to standard unleaded fuel but returning to their outlets with engine problems.

At the start of this month, the price of oil was $US100 a barrel for the first time in a year, with concerns Egypt’s political problems could lead to wider unrest in the Middle East’s oil-producing countries.

And analysts are predicting the Australian dollar could fall further.

There are fears that higher petrol costs could trigger a further reining in of discretionary spending in areas such as shops and restaurants by people who are struggling to reduce their petrol consumption.

The national average price of unleaded fuel increased by 13c a litre in a fortnight.

Interstate motorists have also been warned to expect unleaded petrol prices to hit 160c a litre by the end of the month.

Sourced from The Mercury

Well as expected it’s not taken long for the price to go up. For the last few months the average price for ULP (91 octane) has been $1.53 – $1.55 a litre. So it’s anyone’s guess as to just how much further the prices will go.

Like this:

MOTORISTS are being hit by spiralling petrol prices as Hobart’s average price hits 160c a litre.

Prices have jumped about 6c a litre since last Friday because of increases in world oil prices.

Users of 95 or 98 premium blends are being hit hardest, with the fuel selling from 170c to 180c a litre.

But diesel prices have remained steady, with prices cheaper than petrol for the first time in many years.

The RACT’s Vince Taskunas said the surge in local petrol prices was predictable because of rises in Singapore’s unleaded petrol wholesale price.

Mr Taskunas said the Singapore price had fallen below Friday’s level and he hoped that would cause prices to remain about 160c a litre.

“We’re hoping that that’s the extent of it,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said recent rises in global oil prices had been amplified by the sharp drop in the Australian dollar.

He said the increases were hurting motorists, especially those whose cars needed high-octane petrol. Mr Taskunas said motorists whose cars ran on diesel were being spared price rises.

“Diesel users are not being punished like they usually are,” he said.

Mr Taskunas said there had also been a narrowing of the price gaps between Hobart and interstate capitals including Melbourne and Adelaide.

He said that some service station operators had noticed that motorists whose cars required high octane fuels were switching to standard unleaded fuel but returning to their outlets with engine problems.

At the start of this month, the price of oil was $US100 a barrel for the first time in a year, with concerns Egypt’s political problems could lead to wider unrest in the Middle East’s oil-producing countries.

And analysts are predicting the Australian dollar could fall further.

There are fears that higher petrol costs could trigger a further reining in of discretionary spending in areas such as shops and restaurants by people who are struggling to reduce their petrol consumption.

The national average price of unleaded fuel increased by 13c a litre in a fortnight.

Interstate motorists have also been warned to expect unleaded petrol prices to hit 160c a litre by the end of the month.

Sourced from The Mercury

Well as expected it’s not taken long for the price to go up. For the last few months the average price for ULP (91 octane) has been $1.53 – $1.55 a litre. So it’s anyone’s guess as to just how much further the prices will go.

Like this:

CAR enthusiast Garry Kerr is at a loss to understand how Tasmania’s petrol prices can be so much higher, on average, than in mainland states.

After the Mercury’s front-page warning yesterday to motorists of an imminent price spike, Mr Kerr said he was already struggling to pursue his motoring pastime.

“It’s a little bit strange why there is such a big difference in Tasmania,” Mr Kerr said after his Citroen 2CV won first prize in the Aussie Frogs Car Club awards on Parliament House lawns.

“When you have to keep going back and forth to work, it does become a lot of money. I’m retired and it makes it pretty difficult to keep your hobby going.”

The RACT agrees that fuel prices are too high in the state, with spokesman Vince Taskunas saying Tasmanian motorists are paying 5c a litre too much at the bowser.

Mr Taskunas said it was a situation petrol companies could not justify and the ACCC’s petrol commissioner could not explain.

“We do think prices in Tasmania are too high,” he said. “The RACT has correspondence from the ACCC where they draw comparisons between average prices in Melbourne and Tasmania. The difference is over 10c per litre and we believe that the cost of getting the fuel into Hobart is only 5c a litre. Anything that is over the 5c per litre difference in comparison to Melbourne or Adelaide is unfair.”

Mr Taskunas said Tasmanian motorists were still waiting for a more competitive price, and the petrol commissioner had had little effect.

He said the commissioner’s response — to complaints by Tasmanian drivers that when the wholesale price of oil went down, petrol prices remained steady, but rocketed immediately after any rise in the cost of oil — had been “very general”.

Sourced from The Mercury

Well what a surprise (not) this is just another grab for cash in disguise as freight costs.

Like this:

HEATING tariffs for Tasmanians to warm their homes at a cheaper rate could be a thing of the past with the introduction of new retailers.

The State Government has asked new retailers entering the Tasmanian market to honour Aurora’s hydro heat tariff for the first 2½ years but after July 2016 the discount will be up to new retailers.

Currently 65,528 Tasmanian customers get a discounted usage rate for hot water and space heating of 17.057 cents per kW — compared with the light and power tariff of 28.283 cents per kW.

A price comparison from Victoria shows retailers that may wish to enter the Tasmanian market are not so generous with their heating tariffs.

Energy companies in Victoria, some of which are expected to enter the Tasmanian market, do not offer a specific tariff for space heating.

A breakdown of 23 energy plans shows cheaper prices are only available during the off-peak times — typically between 11pm and 7am.

The off-peak prices vary between 12.562 cents and 18.656 cents per kW but prices for the rest of the day vary between 25.938 cents and 39.413 cents per kW.

The State Government said yesterday all new retailers would be obligated to maintain Aurora’s current price structure for the initial price period of 2½ years.

“Customers will also have the option to move to a market contract offered by new retailers,” spokesman Michael Stedman said.

“The Tasmanian Economic Regulator will have the role of ensuring that tariff changes do not have a disproportionate impact on consumers as is currently the case when Aurora seeks to change its tariffs.”

Mr Stedman said overall energy prices were expected to fall when Full Retail Contestability and wholesale regulation is introduced in January next year.

Soured from The Mercury

So one week the public are told that prices are going to go down and then the next we’re told they will only go up! So what is the actual truth? Tasmania currently has a walled garden approach to power supply, and for years the government has said it’s for our own benefit that it remains that way. After much protest by the consumer the government has changed its mind and granted a free market. However all that remains is for companies to actually commit to entering the retail market within Tasmania and disclose their pricing structure. As yet this hasn’t happened so we are as yet no better off than the current arrangements… :/

Like this:

HEATING tariffs for Tasmanians to warm their homes at a cheaper rate could be a thing of the past with the introduction of new retailers.

The State Government has asked new retailers entering the Tasmanian market to honour Aurora’s hydro heat tariff for the first 2½ years but after July 2016 the discount will be up to new retailers.

Currently 65,528 Tasmanian customers get a discounted usage rate for hot water and space heating of 17.057 cents per kW — compared with the light and power tariff of 28.283 cents per kW.

A price comparison from Victoria shows retailers that may wish to enter the Tasmanian market are not so generous with their heating tariffs.

Energy companies in Victoria, some of which are expected to enter the Tasmanian market, do not offer a specific tariff for space heating.

A breakdown of 23 energy plans shows cheaper prices are only available during the off-peak times — typically between 11pm and 7am.

The off-peak prices vary between 12.562 cents and 18.656 cents per kW but prices for the rest of the day vary between 25.938 cents and 39.413 cents per kW.

The State Government said yesterday all new retailers would be obligated to maintain Aurora’s current price structure for the initial price period of 2½ years.

“Customers will also have the option to move to a market contract offered by new retailers,” spokesman Michael Stedman said.

“The Tasmanian Economic Regulator will have the role of ensuring that tariff changes do not have a disproportionate impact on consumers as is currently the case when Aurora seeks to change its tariffs.”

Mr Stedman said overall energy prices were expected to fall when Full Retail Contestability and wholesale regulation is introduced in January next year.

Soured from The Mercury

So one week the public are told that prices are going to go down and then the next we’re told they will only go up! So what is the actual truth? Tasmania currently has a walled garden approach to power supply, and for years the government has said it’s for our own benefit that it remains that way. After much protest by the consumer the government has changed its mind and granted a free market. However all that remains is for companies to actually commit to entering the retail market within Tasmania and disclose their pricing structure. As yet this hasn’t happened so we are as yet no better off than the current arrangements… :/